By Calvin Trice
News Leader
RICHMOND, Va. — Friday will be the first day of building toward an honor long overdue for those who cherish the memories of Virginians who died while working to keep their state and communities safe.
Local corrections officer Jim Gibson will journey to Richmond to take part in the groundbreaking ceremony for a planned granite memorial bearing the names of those who lost their lives in police work, fighting fires, working the roadways and other jobs that serve the state.
Gibson of Staunton spearheaded a $5,000 local fundraising effort for the Commonwealth Public Safety Memorial, which awaits an esteemed place on the state Capitol grounds showing more than 800 names of those who died in the line of duty.
He got help from his co-workers and an inmate at the low-security Harrisonburg Men’s Diversion Center go build a playhouse that he stationed around the area since May 2012 while selling raffle tickets.
Full story: Staunton officer raised cash for state public safety memorial